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King: NSA a 'phony issue'

The controversy surrounding the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs is “a totally phony issue,” according to Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.).

King made the comment to CNN while criticizing Sen. Rand Paul's (R-Ky.) comparison of Director of National Intelligence James Clapper to NSA leaker Edward Snowden.

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“For Sen. Paul to compare that patriot, Gen. Clapper, to someone like Snowden, who has put American lives at risk, Sen. Paul should be ashamed of himself,” King said during an appearance on CNN's “The Situation Room.”“He disgraced his office and he owes Gen. Clapper an apology immediately,” King said.

He then commented on the report released this week recommending a number of reforms to the NSA, arguing such changes were not necessary.

“There is no NSA scandal,” said King. “This is a totally phony issue.”